PREVIEW: Kentucky WBB looks for redemption vs. No. 12 LSU
Kentucky Women’s Basketball’s exhausting stretch of games is finally coming to a close.
On Sunday, the Wildcats will conclude an eight-day, four-game gauntlet in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. The ‘Cats (9-8; 2-5 in SEC) will face the No. 12 LSU Tigers (17-4; 5-3 in SEC) at 2 p.m. EST.
Kentucky is coming off a painful loss to Vanderbilt this past Thursday. UK took on the Commodores with just six healthy players after sophomore Treasure Hunt suffered an injury during the team’s warmups.
Hunt’s absence isn’t the only one that’s plagued Kentucky in recent contests. The team has been without Edwards since Jan. 16 against Tennesse due to disciplinary matters. Further, Robyn Benton last played on Jan. 20 against Florida after suffering an ankle injury.
The ‘Cats are down on their luck. Nonetheless, there’s no better morale boost than beating an AP Top 25 team in the country. Let’s look at the squad blocking Kentucky from getting their season back on track.
Talking ’bout the Tigers
UK isn’t the only program that’s been stuck in a tailspin recently. LSU is entering Sunday’s contest on a two-game losing streak. More specifically, two losses to two unranked opponents, Florida and Arkansas.
In other words, Kentucky will get all LSU has and then some. Led by legendary head coach Kim Mulkey, the Tigers are scoring 76.4 points per game this season while holding their foes to 59.8 points a night.
If LSU knows how to do anything, it’s finding quality shots. The team is shooting 46.6 from the field, making them the 11th most offensively efficient squad in the nation.
Graduate student Khayla Pointer leads the Tigers’ impressive offense in points and assists. The 5-foot-7 guard averages 18.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest, while shooting 37% from beyond the arc.
Pointer isn’t the only Tiger who knows how to find a basket. Fellow graduate student Alexis Morris contributes 14.7 points and 4.3 rebounds a night. Morris isn’t as dangerous of a threat from deep, making 27% of 3-point attempts this year.
Of course, all the fun can’t go to the guards. 6-foot-5 center Aifuwa Faustine is a handful. The veteran center is a paint deterrent with 25 blocks this season. Further, Faustine adds 10.1 points and six rebounds per contest.
There’s no way around it, the Tigers are talented. However, they aren’t without their weaknesses. The team is shooting 31% from 3-point range and only making 63% of their attempts from the charity stripe.
Outside of these small holes, the Tigers are a complete product. Nevertheless, LSU’s past two games have proven even the most solid team can be unreliable sometimes.
Keys for Kentucky WBB
Unlike LSU, Kentucky has plenty of issues they need to fix. Despite the team’s shortcomings, Rhyne Howard has been fantastic lately.
The All-American guard hit 2,000 career points on Thursday night against Vanderbilt. The jaw-dropping achievement comes at the end of an incredible five-game stretch for Howard.
In Kentucky’s past five contests, Howard has averaged 23.8 points and 8.8 rebounds a game. Head coach Kyra Elzy discussed her star’s recent performances after Thursday night’s loss.
“I’m so proud of Rhyne Howard,” Elzy said. “The accolades continue but what she has done for Kentucky women’s basketball — what she has done for women’s basketball. She is very, very talented. But what I’m so proud of her, you know, she’s really stepped up in a leadership role through adversity.”
With UK currently sitting at No. 10 in the conference standings, Howard must lead even more. Kentucky has struggled to find other scoring sources with Benton and Edwards not available.
Scoring isn’t the only problem plaguing Kentucky’s offense. The team has seen a massive uptick in turnovers as of late. UK’s miscues culminated at an ugly head in Nashville.
Vanderbilt squeezed a season-high 25 turnovers out of the ‘Cats. Elzy spoke on the concerning statistic after the contest.
“Vanderbilt was really aggressive in the traps. They didn’t let us set up in our offense. They kept trapping from side-to-side,” Elzy said. “We just didn’t handle traps well.”
The Wildcats may never find redemption if they don’t find health. Kentucky can’t continue to play with only six players. Something has to give and, if something drastic doesn’t occur soon, it’ll likely be UK’s last hope of playing in the NCAA Tournament.
Looking toward the matchup
Sitting at 2-5 in conference play, Kentucky has nothing to lose. They have to play like it. UK will have a week-long break after Sunday’s battle. Elzy is preaching to her troops about determination.
“It is a difficult time right now,” Elzy said after Thursday’s game. “But, you know, we have to be able to handle the adversity.”
Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
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